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MICHAL 



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in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress . 



http://www.archive.org/details/nnichalplayletoftOOcook 



M I C H A L 



A PLAYLET OF THE TIME OF DAVID 



BY 
ALICE CARTER COOK 




Boston 

The Four Seas Company 

1922 



Copyright, 1Q22, by 
The Four Seas Company 



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.©s'^J^a/^' 



Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 
The Four Seas Press 



M 1 S 1922 

O'CID CI 535 



TO 

R. R. T. 



CHARACTERS 

MiCHAL, the daughter of Saul. 

Merab, her sister, 

Jonathan, her brother. 

Saul, the son of Kish. 

Abner, Captain of the hosts of Israel, his brother. 

Kish. 

David, the son of Jesse. 

Abdiel, the lover of Merab. 

Maid, Armor Bearer, Soldiers. 

Act I, about 1060 B. C. 

Scene One: before the house of Kish. 
Scene Two : the desert hill-country of Judaea. 

Act II, two years later. 

Scene One: house of Saul. 
Scene Two : the same. 



ACT I. 

Scene One: Outskirts of a village of Palestine. 
House of KiSH in the background. 

(Enter Jonathan, carrying a bow which he 

bends as he walks. Stopping a few paces 

from the house, he looks back impatiently 

and calls loudly.) 

Jonathan. Michal! Michal! Why tarriest thou 

with the quiver ? 

Michal. {Within.) I come, brother. 
Jonathan. {Testily.) The feet o£ a woman 
linger in the house of her father but the feet of a 
man haste to stand on the earth that the Lord hath 
made. 

{Enter Michal, bearing the quiver.) 
Jonathan. Knowest thou not, Michal, that the 
armor bearer who lingereth by the way is a reproach ? 
When the bow saith to the arrow, "I have no need 
of thee," it is time for the armor bearer to loiter. 

Michal. True, brother; but when the cakes say 
to the fire, "I have no need of thee,'' then may thine 
armor bearer follow thee instantly, but lo! thou who 
wilt have no honey cakes but of my baking, thou must 
e'en have patience with thine armor bearer. 

Jonathan. Honey cakes! Bast them by thee, 
sister ? 

9 



lo MICHAL 

MiCHAL. {Temptingly opening the capacious hag 
that hangs by her side,) Yea, but thou must first do 
penance for thy fault finding. 
Jonathan. Forgive me, sister! I did but jest. 
MiCHAL. Bow down thyself, O son of Saul, as one 
who has sinned. 

Jonathan. {Jerkily bending.) Thy pardon, 
maiden . . . and thy cakes! 

(MiCHAL chooses and presents a very small 
cake.) 
Jonathan. {Swallowing it at a gulp.) Another, 
sister; 'twas but a little one. 

MiCHAL. And 'twas but a small bow. Bow the 
knee, Jonathan, with all humility and say, "*I crave thy 
pardon, sweet sister." 

(Jonathan laughingly makes deep obeisance 
and kisses his sister's outstretched hand.) 
Jonathan. I do beseech thee, pardon thy servant 
. . . Since when wast thou a princess, my sister? 
— And now, my cakes ! — and then to my shooting ! 

(MiCHAL presents the bag. Jonathan helps 
himself liberally, then stoops to choose an 
arrow from the quiver. Michal, meanwhile, 
looks searchingly up and down the road as if 
expecting some one.) 
Michal. Our father tarrieth long. 
Jonathan. {Carelessly.) He who must follow 
the whims of an ass needs travel far. 

MiCHAL. He hath been three days gone. Fearest 
thou not that the wild beasts of the desert may have 
fallen upon him ? 



MICHAL II 

Jonathan. (Fitting an arrow to his bow and 
talking with his mouth full of honey cake.) Nay, nay, 
I fear naught for my father. There Hves not the beast 
that can harm him. 

MiCHAL. Truly he hath the valor of ten men, but 
even the brave must sleep. 

Jonathan. Fear is the portion of women. I tell 
thee, Michal, naught can harm our father. What he 
hath set himself to do that will he do, though every 
rock of the desert were a lion; neither will he return 
till he hath found that for which he seeketh, though 
the shoes fall from his feet and his beard wax long 
as the beard of Samson, the son of Manoah. Behold 
now! (Pointing beyond the stage,) Seest the top- 
most leaf of yonder sapling? If my arrow sever it 
not from its stem, I will eat unleavened bread forty 
days! 

(He shoots. Michal peers eagerly into the 
distance, then, with a shout of joy, ''A hit! 
A hitr rushes out, immediately returning 
with the arrow.) 

Jonathan. (Trying to look unconcerned.) Would 
that yon leaf had been the head of a Philistine! 
Knowest, sister, that my father hath promised that 
when next the hosts of Israel go against the enemy, 
I shall go with them? 

Michal. Woe, then, to the Philistines! There is 
none among all the lads of Israel who can shoot like 
unto thee. 

Jonathan. And my father hath said that I shall 
bear his bow. 



12 MICHAL 

MiCHAL. The mighty bow that hangeth ever obove 
his bed? 

Jonathan. What other? 

MiCHAL. I have heard it said that there are not 
ten men in Israel who can bend that bow. 
Jonathan. Yet can I do it. 

MiCHAL. The Phihstines shall tremble before thee, 
my brother. 

Jonathan. I fear them not. Would that I might 
fall upon them as a wolf upon a flock in the stillness 
of the night. They should fall as leaves in the winds 
of autumn. 

MiCHAL. O Jonathan! Behold how even now the 
wind stirreth the leaves of the aspen that they do 
shine like the helmets of a host that cometh against us ! 
Shoot, brother, shoot ! for the Philistines are upon us ! 
(Jonathan, instantly falling into the spirit of 
the challenge, begins shooting fast and furi- 
ous, MiCHAL supplying the arrows and shout- 
ing with delight as her eyes follow their flight 
behind the scene. When the quiver is empty, 
Jonathan lowers his bow and speaks 
proudly.) 
Jonathan. The dogs have licked the dust. Fetch 
the arrows, armor bearer ! 

(MiCHAL runs forward, colliding violently with 

Abner, who arrayed in the full panoply of 

war, is instantaneously robbed of dignity and 

breath and nearly overthrown.) 

Abner. {Gasping and indignant.) Is it thus that 



MICHAL 13 

the daughter of my brother greeteth me? Is the maid 
bereft of reason? 

MiCHAL. (With a comprehensive sweep of her 
arms.) Oh, mine uncle, behold the slaughter of the 
Philistines ! 

Abner. {Rubbing his eyes and looking around 
curiously.) What meaneth the damsel? 

MiCHAL. They have fallen as in a tempest before 
the arrows of Jonathan. He hath brought them low. 
In the pride of their hearts did they imagine mischief 
against us, but the hand of the mighty hath laid them 
in the dust. 

Abner. {Utterly bewildered.) This is the folly of 
madness. {To Jonathan.) Where is this enemy? 

Jonathan. {Laughingly pointing in the direction 
taken by the arrows.) They do lick the dust, my uncle. 
We do but jest. Michal would have it that we shoot 
down the hosts of the aspen. 

Michal. And his arm hath not failed. See how 
they do strew the ground. 

Jonathan. {Loftily.) Enough, Michal. Fetch 
the arrows. 

Abner. {His eyes now epened, glances admiringly 
at the fallen leaves.) It is well done, boy. Thou art 
the son of thy father before whom the Philistines flee 
as hares before the hunter. Where is now thy father? 

Jonathan. He hath been absent three days, seek- 
ing the asses of Kish. {Calling to Michal.) Are 
there not many arrows behind thee, Michal? {To 
Abner.) Truly I know not wherefore my father 



14 MICHAL 

tarrieth so long, yet would I not that my sister be 
downcast. 

Abner. Saul no doubt travelleth in safety. None 
would dare to molest him, yet it grieveth me that he 
is not here for I would see him on weighty matters. 
The enemy presseth heavily upon us and I have need 
of him, and of thee also, Jonathan, my lad, for thy 
father did boast to me of thy skill. 

Jonathan. Hath my father spoken well of me 
to thee? I am but a stripling, nevertheless will I not 
shame his words and my heart is strong to do battle 
for the people of the Lord. 

Abner. Thou art a goodly youth and hast the 
strength of many men. Thou shalt go with me against 
these dogs of Philistines. In all the land have I found 
none so skilful as thou save only a youth of the tribe 
of Benjamin, a son of Jesse, who dwelleth in 
Bethlehem. 

Jonathan. Eliab do I know and Abinadab of the 
sons of Jesse, who have come up unto Gilgal to the 
feast, and goodlier men did mine eyes never look upon. 
(MiCHAL, returning with the arrows, and bring- 
ing also a handful of leaves which she lays 
proudly at Jonathan's feet, listens eagerly.) 

Abner. The youngest who remaineth at home with 
the flocks surpasseth all his brethren in strength and 
courage. Yea, the rumor goeth abroad that when a 
lion taketh a lamb from the flock, David, the son of 
Jesse, goeth after the beast and delivereth the lamb 
from its mouth and slayeth the lion with his hand. 



MICHAL 15 

MiCHAL. Neither would Jonathan quail before the 
lion, my uncle. I would fain see this shepherd. 

Jonathan. Would that such a one were my 
brother ! 

MiCHAL. I would bear his quiver also! O my 
uncle, why did the Lord not make me also a son of 
Saul? 

Jonathan. Who would then make my honey cakes? 

MiCHAL. (Stamping her foot.) Jest not, Jonathan! 
Jesting is a light matter to a man but woe to the woman 
who must bear the heart of a warrior in the body of 
a maker of cakes ! 

Jonathan. There is none among the daughters of 
Israel who can make cakes like unto those of the 
daughter of Saul. Give of them to our uncle, I pray 
thee, Michal, for he is wearied with his journeyings. 

MiCHAL. That will I most gladly. Rest thee, my 
uncle, under this tree, and I will fetch thee a little 
water to wash thy feet and a morsel of wild honey to 
eat with the cakes. 

(Michal hastens away while Jonathan helps 
his uncle to disarm and spreads his cloak 
under the tree for him to sit upon.) 

Abner. {To Michal who has returned with a 
basin of water and is washing his feet.) Where is 
Kish, my father? 

Michal. Behold, he resteth within the house. 
Presently shall he come unto thee with Merab, my 
sister. (Drying Abner's feet.) Now will I bring 
thee a morsel of food that thou mayst go thy way 
refreshed. 



i6 MICHAL 

Abner. {Stretching comfortably under the tree.) 
So do as thou hast said, my daughter, for I am both 
weary and an-hungered. (Michal hurries away 
again and Abner turns to Jonathan.) It is strange 
that thy father tarrieth so long in his search. 

Jonathan. Yea, it is as I have said. The hill 
country hides robbers and wild beasts and my mind 
misgives me that all is not well with Saul, my father. 
My heart is heavy because of him, nevertheless would 
I not grieve my sister with vain forebodings. 

Abner. The God of our father Abraham forbid 
that evil should befall Saul, my brother! 

Jonathan. Jehovah preserve him! There is not 
his like among all the fathers of Israel. 

Abner. Thou sayest truly. His children would 
we all be. 

Jonathan. What meanest thou? 

Abner. O son of Saul, knowest thou not that the 
elders of the people have gathered themselves together 
to the prophet Samuel in Ramah, saying, "Behold thou 
art old and thy sons walk not in thy ways. Now 
make us a king to judge us like all the nations, to go 
out before us and to fight out battles." 

Jonathan. Yea, that have I heard, and truly it 
seemeth good to me that we also should have a king 
over us like all the nations. 

Abner. It is the will of Jehovah and soon will 
Samuel declare unto us the manner of our king and 
even now the rumor goeth forth that there is none 
among the sons of Israel like unto Saul, the son of 
Kish. 



MICHAL 17 

Jonathan. My father! It cannot be that my 
father shall be king over Israel ! 

Abner. There is none among all the people so 

goodly, no, nor any man of such valor as Saul who from 

his shoulders upward is higher than any of the people. 

(Jonathan stands dumbfounded. Abner 

watches him in silence, Michal comes 

from the house with hands laden.) 

Michal. (Setting the viands before Abner.) 
See, my uncle, here is wild honey and mare's milk 
and cheese and parched grain and raisins. Eat I pray 
thee, and be comforted and, after the manner of our 
fathers in the wilderness, let nothing be left over, that 
we may know of a truth that thou art a mighty man 
of valor. 

(Abner falls upon the food voraciously, Jona- 
than standing by and Michal hovering 
around with words of encouragement,) 

Michal. The cheese, mine uncle, neglect not the 
cheese! My sister hath made it but now of goat's 
milk. She said in her heart, '*Lo, I have now much 
cheese laid up for many days," but she knew not that 
Abner, the captain of the hosts of Israel, would fall 
upon it. Make an end of it utterly, mine uncle, for 
truly it is the enemy of my brother Jonathan who 
cannot stand before it. 

Abner. {With his mouth full.) Woe betide me, 
Michal, if I leave of it one iota to bring pain unto 
thy brother, for he is but a youth. 

Michal. And forget not the wild honey, my uncle. 
That also Jonathan doth devour to his own hurt. 



i8 MICHAL 

Deny not thyself, I pray thee, for the sake of Jonathan, 
the son of thy brother Saul. 

Jonathan. O Michal ! Michal ! I prithee, peace ! 
Weary not our uncle with vain words ! What thinkest 
thou he hath said unto me? 

Michal. What Abner, the captain of the host and 
the brother of my father, hath said, that will my soul 
believe, for he it is that saveth Israel from her enemies. 

Abner. I am but the captain of the host, Michal. 

Michal. But the captain of the host ! Who in all 
the land is greater than thou? 

Jonathan. None but the king, my sister. 

Michal. What sayest thou, Jonathan? There is 
no king in Israel save Jehovah and Samuel is his 
prophet. 

Abner. Samuel waxeth old and the land crieth out 
by reason of the Philistines and the people will have 
a king to rule over them. 

Michal. Who is he that will be king over Israel? 

Jonathan. What manner of man should be king 
over us, Michal ? 

Michal. Nay, brother Jonathan, who am I that 
I should know aught of these things? The daughter 
of Saul knoweth but the house of her father where 
Saul, who careth for the oxen of his father, is king 
and where thou, my brother, art his right hand. What 
know I of a king in Israel? 

Jonathan. Is not Saul, our father, a goodly man, 
who, from his shoulders upward is higher than any 
of the people? 

Michal. Yea, truly; who goodlier? 



MICHAL 19 

Abner. There is none among the people Uke unto 
him. Jehovah will choose him to reign over us. 

MiCHAL. Saul! My father! Nay, nay, it cannot 
be! 

Abner. The lot shall be cast and the chosen of the 
Lord shall be revealed. 

Jonathan. Jehovah exalteth the lovely, Michal. 
Abner saith that the people will have Saul to rule over 
them. 

Michal. (Running towards the house, calls loudly,) 
Merab ! Merab ! 

Merab. {Coming to the door.) Thou callest me, 
my sister? 

Michal. Oh, come hither, Merab! Hear the 
words of Abner, the captain of the host! 

Merab. {Approaching with outstretched hands.) 
Welcome is the brother of my father and the protector 
of the people! 

Abner. Peace be with thee, my daughter Merab! 

Michal. Declare unto her, my uncle, how greatly 
Jehovah hath exalted us. 

Abner. Nay, nay, Michal; be not too hasty. We 
know not what a day may bring fortfh. That which 
shall come to pass is in the hands of the Lord of Hosts. 

Michal. Blessed be His name. Nevertheless 
Merab also should know that which is in the hearts 
of the people. 

Merab. {Looking inquiringly from one to another.) 
What is this great thing that is hidden from me ? 

Michal. O Merab, Abner saith that the people 
will have our father, Saul, to be king over Israel. 



20 MICHAL 

Merab. My sister! What sayest thou? 

Abner. Michal, perchance, speaketh hastily, never- 
theless is it true that the people will have a king to 
rule over them and there is none so worthy as Saul, 
thy father. 

Michal. And thou shalt be a princess, Merab! 
And thou shalt wed the son of a king! 

Merab. And thou, Michal, shalt put away childish 
things and dwell in the palace of the king with thy 
maidens. 

Michal. Nay, nay, Merab! I will not abide in 
the palace, spinning at the loom and decking myself 
with royal apparel ! Nay ! Wed thou thy prince and 
live softly all thy days; but, as for me, I will be the 
armor bearer of my brother, Jonathan, and I will wed 
... I will wed ... let me consider well, for woe 
unto her who maketh haste to wed! (Laughing 
whimsically, she looks roguishly at Jonathan and 
Abner.) . . . yea, why should I not wed this shep- 
herd, David, who is a comely youth and valiant and 
who dwelleth with the flocks? Better is the palace 
of God among the hills than the palaces of men. 

Jonathan. O Michal! Michal! Thou speakest 
like a foolish virgin, not as one who shall be the 
daughter of a king. 

KiSH. (Within, querously.) Merab! Merab! 

Merab. (Hastening towards the house.) Yea, my 
father ! 

(KiSH, bowed with age, comes to the door. 
Michal and Merab lead him gently towards 
Abner, who rises to greet him.) 



MICHAL 21 

KiSH. The peace of God be with thee, my son. 
Hast thou seen aught of thy brother, Saul? 

Abner. Nay, my father. I knew not that my 
brother journeyed in the hill country, but fear thou not. 
The Lord is with him. 

KiSH. What shall I do for my son? Lo, it is now 
the third day and he cometh not. Peradventure an 
evil beast hath devoured him. Saul, my son, is no 
doubt rent in pieces. 

Abner. Fear not, my father. Saul shall return in 
the fulness of time. It is no light matter to find the 
asses in the wilderness, nevertheless Saul hath the wis- 
dom of the serpent and he will find them, nor will he 
give himself a prey to the beasts of the desert. 

KiSH. Deceive me not with vain words. Saul is 
no doubt rent in pieces. Go, Abner, search out the 
desert and bring me his cloak, even as the sons of Jacob 
did bring the coat of Joseph for a witness that the wild 
beasts had devoured their brother. 

Abner. Nay, my father ; thou dost forget ; the wild 
beasts harmed not our father Joseph. Jehovah, who 
brought unto him a great deliverance, shall also restore 
unto thee thy son, Saul. 

KiSH. The Lord hath taken him, Abner. My gray 
hairs shall go down in sorrow to the grave. Bring me, 
I pray thee, the garments of my son. 

Abner. (Aside to Jonathan.) It is the foolishness 
of an old man. Saul will return and I must make haste 
to the prophet, Samuel, who hath summoned me to 
meet him his day at Ramah. 

Jonathan. Go thy way. I will seek my father. 



:i2 MICHAL 

{To KiSH.) It shall be as thou wilt, my father. 
Abner goeth to the prophet Samuel, who shall tell him 
that which cometh to pass, and I will seek my father 
in the wilderness and will not return until I bring thee 
word concerning him. 

KiSH. {Falling on Jonathan's neck, weeps with 
the abandon of weak old age,) The God of our 
fathers guide thy steps ! If evil befall Saul, my son, 
my gray hairs shall go down with sorrow to Sheol. 

Jonathan. {To Kish.) Be comforted, my father. 
Jehovah shall restore him who is lost. Come, now, 
I pray thee, return to thy rest. 

(Merab and Michal lead the old man away, 
Jonathan helps Abner to put on his armor,) 
Abner. Farewell, Jonathan, my son. May the 
God of our fathers guide thee. 

(Abner goes out, Jonathan lays aside his 
bow, girds himself and is about to set forth, 
when Michal reappears, wrapped in a 
cloak,) 
Michal. I will go with thee, my brother. 
Jonathan. Nay, Michal; tarry thou here with 
Merab and the old man. 

Michal. I will go with thee. Peradventure the 
wild beasts have devoured my father. 

{She weeps and Jonathan tries awkwardly to 
comfort her,) 
Jonathan. Be not afraid, little one. Our father 
is a lion among lions. He shall not be harmed. I will 
seek him and return speedily. 
Michal. I will go with thee. 



MICHAL 23 

Jonathan. The way is long and hard. 

MiCHAL. Love is stronger than the rocks of the 
way, neither can many floods quench it. I will go 
with thee. 

Jonathan. Come then, my sister; let us hasten 
while the day is at the spring lest the night overtake 
us in the desert. 

CURTAIN 



24 MICHAL 



Scene Two: Hill country of Judcea; a rocky, steep 
ascent with scrubby growths bordering the rough 
path. Evening. 

{Enter Jonathan and Michal^ dusty and 
weary. Jonathan gives his sister his hand 
to help her up the ascent.) 
MiCHAL. Where are we? 

Jonathan. I know not; nevertheless this path is 
travelled of the flocks and we shall doubtless find 
shelter in the hut of some shepherd. 

MiCHAL. I can go no further. Let us rest among 
these rocks. When we have slept a space we may 
continue our journey. 

Jonathan. We may not sleep here. Wild beasts 
prowl in these thickets and robbers infest the caves. 
We needs must go on, lest night overtake us and we 
perish in this wilderness. 

MiCHAL. Do thou go on, but as for me, I must 
rest and sleep though it be the sleep of death. 
Jonathan. I will carry thee, my sister. 

{He takes Michal in his arms and tries to 

climb but stumbles and almost falls. Michal, 

frightened, struggles from his grasp.) 

Michal. Thou canst not carry me. Thy feet are 

bruised and bleeding even as mine and thou art also 

weary. Let us rest here until the dawn. 



MICHAL 25 

Jonathan. It shall be as thou wilt. Night cometh 
on apace and it were easy to lose the path in the dark- 
ness. Better to remain here though lions lurk near to 
fall upon us, than to dash ourselves to pieces from the 
cliffs. 

{He finds a sheltered place, takes off his cloak 
and spreads it on the ground and helps 
MiCHAL to make herself comfortable upon 
it.) 

MiCHAL. {Recovering her vivacity.) Give me 
now a pillow of stone ; then shall I be assured of sleep 
as was our father Jacob. 

Jonathan. {Finding a smooth stone, places it 
under her head,) And, like our father Jacob, mayest 
thou be visited by angels, my sister! 

MiCHAL. Alas! The spirit of woman is never 
content. As the earth that is never satisfied with water 
and the fire that saith not '"Enough," so doth the spirit 
of woman cry, ''Give ! Give !" and lo ! I am athirst, 
my brother, and must I perish in the wilderness where 
no water is? 

Jonathan. {Rising from the seat he had found 
for himself,) Alas! Michal! There is no fountain 
among these rocks and I dare not leave thee to seek 
water, yet will I go a little way, for better to die by 
the mouth of the lion than to perish by the slow tor- 
ture of thirst. 

{He goes out. Twilight falls. Michal, rising 
to her knees, prays.) 

Michal. God of our fathers, have mercy upon thy 
children! Guide thou the feet of thy servant, Jona- 



26 MICHAL 

than, that he may find a spring of living waters that 
shall restore our souls. Guide Thou the feet of our 
father, Saul, that he may return unto the house which 
his going has left desolate. Have mercy upon thy 
handmaid and deliver her from the dangers of the 
wilderness. May Thy peace abide with us forever- 
more ! 

(Rising from her knees, Michal takes from 
under her cloak a hag from which she pro- 
duces cakes, cheese and raisins. These she 
sets out on a flat stone. Surveying her work 
with satisfaction, she covers the viands with 
her kerchief and sits down so as to conceal 
the improvised table,) 
Michal. Now shall the soul of my brother be as- 
tonished and his lips speechless with amazement. 

(Jonathan appears at the foot of the hill, 

climbing wearily and evidently discouraged. 

He stops suddenly and kneels beside a hollow 

stone; takes off his kerchief and dips it in the 

hollow where the dews of evening have 

collected,) 

Jonathan. The Lord is ever mindful of his own. 

Thanks be to the Almighty God of our fathers who 

maketh the water to come out of the rock for us even 

as for his people in the days of Moses when they also 

wandered in the desert. 

{He climbs quickly to where Michal sits and 
wrings the water from the cloth into her 
mouth.) 
Michal. It is sufficient; now am I content. 



MICHAL 27 

Jonathan. Michal, thou art but a woman and con- 
tent with the dews of heaven. I, being a man, would 
be grateful for stronger meat. 

Michal. Thy prayer is heard, O son of Saul, and, 
if thou be'st of humble mind, I will give thee bread. 

Jonathan. Art thou a sorcerer to make bread 
from the stones of the desert? 

Michal. Nay, but being a wise maid in the house 
of my father, and knowing the everlasting hunger of 
mankind, have I made many honey cakes. 

Jonathan. Saidst thou not that the bag was empty? 

Michal. Is there but one bag in Israel, O son of 
Saul? 

{She rises and removes the cover from the 
viands.) 

Jonathan {Astonished, speaks in mock anger,) 
Verily thou hast dealt deceitfully with thy brother, O 
daughter of mischief. 

Michal. Speak not lightly of her who carrieth the 
bag. When I returned into the house to prepare for 
the journey, I fetched the bag, but, of a truth, hadst 
thou had knowledge of it, there had not now remained 
one crumb to appease thy hunger at the even time 
and we should have died of famine. 

Jonathan. Twice have I prayed forgiveness be- 
cause of these cakes and now a third time do I penance. 
{Bows humbly,) Give me to eat, I pray thee, sweet 
sister; it shall be as manna to my hungry soul. 

Michal. {As they eat,) Truly do we repeat the 
story of our fathers. We sleep upon a pillow of stones. 



28 MICHAL 

We drink water from the rock and we eat bread in 
the wilderness where is no bread. 

Jonathan. (Carefully disposing of the last crumb.) 
Now is the spirit of the mighty returned to me. 
Though a Hon rise up and roar against me, I would 
rend him as a kid. 

MiCHAL. Of a truth do wild beasts lurk among 
these rocks? 

Jonathan. Yea, my sister, but fear them not. I 
will guard thee from all evil. 

MiCHAL. I fear them not, Jonathan, yet do I fear 
lest they have fallen upon our father. 

Jonathan. Thinkest thou not that our father can 
withstand them even as I and thou sayest thou hast 
no fear with me? Is not my father greater than I? 

MiCHAL. Yes, verily, yet he is but one. 

Jonathan. He hath not the protection of thy arm ! 
Truly he is in evil case! Yet do I believe that even 
without thine aid he may withstand the dangers of 
the desert! 

MiCHAL. Jest not, brother. He must sleep even as 
we, and who shall guard his slumber? 

Jonathan. Jehovah careth for them who put their 
trust in Him. Shall Saul not be king over Israel and 
who shall harm the Lord's anointed? 

MiCHAL. In Jehovah will I put my trust. Now 
will I sleep while thou dost watch and when I have 
rested a space do thou waken me that thou mayst sleep 
in thy turn. 

(She wraps her cloak about her and sleeps. 
Jonathan tries manfully to watch but is 



MICHAL 29 

overcome and sleeps also. Night darkens. 
The tinkle of sheep hells and the harking of 
dogs is heard in the valley helow. The sounds 
draw nearer. A man, indistinctly seen, 
emerges at the top of the path and turns hack 
to call directions to the dogs which are folding 
the sheep in the valley. Gradually the sounds 
suhside and the stranger seats himself on a 
rock and takes the harp that hangs on his 
shoulders, tunes it softly and hegins to sing. 
The sleepers, wakened, listen spell-hound.) 

SONG 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills 
From whence cometh my help; 

My help cometh from the Lord 
Which made heaven and earth. 

The Lord is my keeper, 

The Lord is my shade upon my right hand. 

Behold! He that keepeth Israel 
Shall neither slumber nor sleep! 

(The singer pauses. The moon rises. Michal 
and Jonathan watch but when the singer 
hegins a new song, gradually fall asleep,) 

SONG 

The heavens declare the glory of God 

And the firmament showeth his handiwork; 
Day unto day uttereth speech 

And night unto night showeth knowledge; 
There is no speech nor language, 

There voice is not heard. 
Their line is gone out through all the earth 

And their words to the end of the world. 
In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun 
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber 
And rejoicing as a strong man to run a race. 



30 MICHAL 

( The song ended, the harper sits musing. After 
a time he rises and slowly descends the hill 
and comes upon the sleepers. He stops, 
amazed, and, stooping, looks on the face of 
MiCHAL across which the moonlight falls,) 
Shepherd. Thou art fair, O my dove, hidden in 

the cleft of the rocks, in the covert of the steep place. 

Would that I might hear thy voice, for thy countenance 

is comely! Truly, O beautiful one, thou sleepest in 

the arms of Death, for these hills abound in ravening 

beasts. I will watch by thee. 

{He sits quietly watching. The moon sinks low 
and it becomes very dark. Occasionally a 
dog harks or a sheep hie at s in the valley 
helow. Suddenly there is a rustling sound 
and the fall of a heavy hody, followed hy 
MiCHAL^s screams and the rush of retreating 
feet,.) 
Shepherd. A lion ! A lion ! Give me thy strength, 

O God! 
Jonathan. My sister! My sister! Where art 

thou? 

{The darkness is filled with the shouts of the 
men as they rush to the rescue. Absolute 
silence follows. Slowly the darkness gives 
way to the faint light of dawn, revealing 
Jonathan and the Shepherd gently laying 
the limp hody of Michal on her stony couch, 
or, if that is too difficult, Michal is already 
placed on the rocks and the men stoop over 
her. Jonathan tries to rouse her, while the 



MICHAL 31 

Shepherd^ with a gesture of despair, with- 
draws reverently into the background.) 
Jonathan. Awake ! Awake ! My sister ! Awake, 
my sister, my dove ! Let me hear thy voice ! Be not 
silent before me, O my sister! (Pause. Jonathan 
puts his ear to Michal's heart.) My Uttle sister is 
dead. She speaketh not. She heareth not. Awake, 
O my Uttle one! Behold and see if there be any 
sorrow like unto my sorrow! The joy of the whole 
woi Id hath been thrown down and hath not been pitied. 
(In hopeless despair, he sits on the ground, 
tearing his hair and rending his garments. 
The Shepherd approaches and bends over 

MiCHAL.) 

Jonathan. O Jehovah! Behold to whom thou 
hast done this ! Thou hast slain in the day of thine 
anger ; thou hast slaughtered and hast not pitied ! 

Shepherd. Blaspheme not the name of the Al- 
mighty. The Lord Omnipotent reigneth. Call upon 
him in the time of trouble for in His hands are the 
issues of life and death. He gave and shall He not 
take away? Blessed be the name of the Lord. 

Jonathan. (With bowed head.) She was alto- 
gether lovely. Among the daughters of Israel was 
there none like unto my little one. Jehovah hath 
accomplished his wrath. He hath poured out his fierce 
anger. She who was the breath of our nostrils was 
overthrown in a moment. The joy of our hearts hath 
ceased. 

Shepherd. (Kneeling beside Michal, prays.) O 



32 MICHAL 

Jehovah, forget not thy children. Turn thou unto us 
and let thy mighty works be shown to us! 
(MiCHAL stirs slightly,) 

Jonathan. (Head still bowed,) The Lord hath 
trodden as in a wine press the daughter of Israel. 

Shepherd. (Who has been watching intently, 
again sees Michal stir slightly. He springs to his 
feet.) She lives! Praise the Almighty God! She 
lives ! She lives ! Arise, my brother ! Oh, give 
thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy 
endureth forever! 

(Jonathan hastens to Michal, his companion 
steps aside and stands respectfully behind him 
in the gray light of coming dawn.) 

Jonathan. She lives! She lives! God of our 
fathers, forgive the iniquity of thy servant! I will 
praise thy name at all times ; thy name shall continually 
be in my mouth. 

Michal. {Opening her eyes and looking up at her 
brother,) Where am I? 

Jonathan. Thou art returned from the land of 
Death, my sister. 

{The light which has been slowly growing, sud- 
denly bursts in a flood of glory over the hill- 
tops as MiCHAL^s eyes wander to the spot 
where the harper stands in the background, 
watching,) 

Michal. Who is that stranger? 
Jonathan. {Still not turning his head, his eyes 
seeming unable to leave the face of his sister,) It is 



MICHAL 33 

he who hath saved thee from the jaws of the Hon, 
Michal. 

(As he speaks, Jonathan turns to address the 
stranger, hut, in that instant, Michal cries 
out and, looking, in the opposite direction 
they see a tall man, surrounded by a group 
of prophets bearing torches, approaching. 
Jonathan, not having seen the Shepherd's 
face, hurries towards the new comers.) 
Michal. (Sitting erect and stretching out her arms 
to the tall traveller.) My father! O my father! 

(Shepherd disappears, as Saul hastens to his 
daughter. ) 

CURTAIN 



34 MICHAL 



ACT II. 

Scene One: Living apartment in the house of King 
Saul. Two years later. 

(MiCHAL sits by the loom, her hands idly folded 
in her lap, her eyes looking absently far 
away. ) 
MiCHAL. By night in dreams I behold him whom 
my soul loveth ; by day have I sought him in the streets 
of the city and in the broad ways, but I find him not. 
(Enter Merab. Michal rises and greets her 
affectionately.) 
Merab. Art still downcast, little sister? 
Michal. Smileth the morn when the sun delayeth 
his coming? 

Merab. Foolish one! Is there but one shepherd in 
Israel? Nay, what is a shepherd to the daughter of 
Saul? Shall the child of the king set her affections 
upon one who careth for the flocks? 

Michal. The heart knoweth not high nor low, my 
sister, and truly my soul wanders like a sheep that is 
lost till the shepherd shall gather it into the fold of 
his love. It knoweth its own shepherd and none other 
will it follow. 

Merab. It were more meet that thou shouldst give 
thy love to a man of war. 



MICHAL 35 

MiCHAL. O sister, may Jehovah give thee Abdiel, 
the Meholathite, the warrrior who is the desire of thy 
heart, but my soul is bound in the bundle of life with 
him who hath saved me from the jaws of the lion. 

Merab. The anger of our father will be kindled 
against thee, Michal, for he would fain bind unto 
himself those who have power, nor will the lowly find 
favor in his sight. 

Michal. Did not our father follow after the oxen 
of Kish? 

Merab. Of a truth; yet now is he lifted up above 
the people and his heart hath waxed proud within him. 

Michal. Nevertheless are we still his daughters. 
Doth the heart of a king forget that the joy of a 
father is in the happiness of his children? 

Merab. Alas, my sister! The glory of his king- 
dom weigheth more to the mind of the king than the 
love of his children. What he willeth that shall be 
done though the hearts of his daughters be crushed 
within them. 

Michal. Truly an evil spirit from the Lord 
troubleth him, yet is his heart not altogether changed 
for it is softened by the music of the strange harper. 
Mine eyes long to behold him before whom the evil 
spirit of my father fleeth away, for when this musician 
playeth before the king the spirit of evil is banished 
and the heart of Saul becometh humble as that of 
a little child. 

Merab. I would also see this David, yet may none 
have sight of him for he returneth ever by day to 
his flocks, for he also is a shepherd, sister. 



36 MICHAL 

MiCHAL. And he is a mighty man of valor. Jona- 
than saith that our father will make him his armor 
bearer. 

Merab. Woe to the shepherd who hath not the 
strength of a warrior for the land is scourged with wild 
beasts as with Philistines. 

MiCHAL. What saith Abdiel of the champion of 
the Philistines? 

Merab. Abdiel saith that this fellow cometh ever 
to the crest of the mountain, crying with a voice that 
is like the blast of a whirlwind, ''I defy the armies of 
Israel. Give me a man that we may fight together. 
O ye servants of Saul, choose you a man for you and 
let him come down to me in the valley and if I prevail 
not against him we will be your servants.'' 

MiCHAL. And Saul, our father, and all Israel are 
dismayed and greatly afraid of him. 

Merab. Yea, there lives not a man who can stand 
before him. 

MiCHAL. Wherefore goeth not Abdiel against this 
dog of a PhiHstine? 

Merab. Thou speakest thou knowest not what. Is 
not his height six cubits and a span and the staff of 
his spear like unto a weaver's beam? Of a truth 
Abdiel desired to go against him but I rebuked him, 
saying, "Thou lovest me not at all, O Abdiel. I know 
the pride of thy heart and that thou wouldst perish by 
the hand of this monster, leaving me alone to fall into 
the hands of the PhiUstines." 

MiCHAL. And what said Abdiel, the Meholathite? 

Merab. Abdiel did answer me saying, ''Let me die 



MICHAL 37 

for thee with honor, my beloved, rather than Hve in 
shame before the face of man." 

MiCHAL. Abdiel is strong and of good courage and 
verily he would slay this giant. Wherefore went he 
not forth to meet him? 

Merab. Should the crown of Israel be thrown unto 
the dogs? Who can stand before this Philistine? He 
that is courageous among the mighty doth flee before 
him. I said unto Abdiel, 'If thou wilt of a truth not 
hearken unto me but wilt go forth to meet Goliath, thy 
love for me is but the flame of a torch that is ex- 
tinguished by the first breath of the wind, and I swear 
by my soul thou shalt not have me to wife. In the 
naughtiness of thy heart wilt thou do this thing because 
thou prizest the praise of men more than the sweetness 
of love; but in vain shalt thou draw thy sword, for 
if thou lovest thine own glory above the prayer of 
my soul thou shalt verily be brought into contempt. 

MiCHAL. And what said Abdiel, the Meholothite? 

Merab. {Hanging her head,) He said, ''Breath 
of my life, I cannot love thee truly if I fail in aught 
that can help Israel. I shall fight this Philistine.'' 

MiCHAL. And wherefore hath Abdiel been neglect- 
ful of the vow that he did make? 

Merab. (Hanging her head.) Truly, he hath not 
fulfilled his vow. (Raising her head and laughing 
bitterly and speaking defiantly.) Nay, and he shall not 
while Merab, the daughter of Saul, lives to hold him 
from his rash purpose. 

MiCHAL. (Startled by her sister's fierceness,) 
What hast thou done, sister? 



38 MICHAL 

Merab. (After a short pause, speaks reluctantly,) 
I will even tell thee. I am young, Michal, and could 
I live without my love through the long years ? Saul, 
my father, would give me in marriage to one of his 
captains and I should drag out my days in hate and 
misery. Nay, without my love could I not live, Michal ; 
and why should he die by the hand of this evil one in 
the beauty of his youth, and why should I go down to 
Sheol in mourning? 

Michal. (Very gently.) What hast thou done, 
sister? 

Merab. (Hiding her head in her hands and weep- 
ing passionately.) Thou wouldst have done even as 
I, Michal, hadst he whom thou lovest desired to end 
his days so rashly. 

Michal. Tell me, sister. 

Merab. Thou knowest the witch who lives in 
the cave of Endor? (Michal nods and shrinks.) 
Her have I visited and she hath given me a strong 
potion the which if any man drink, his strength de- 
parteth from him and he becomes as a little babe. 
Abdiel would go forth in the morning to meet Goliath 
but I have given him to drink and now he lieth in his 
tent and there is no strength in him. 

Michal. It is not well done, Merab. Thou hast 
sinned against the Lord and against the people in this 
thing. 

Merab. The strength of Abdiel shall come again 
when I will. 

Michal. When the children of Israel have been 
carried into captivity by the Philistines and when our 



MICHAL 39 

father and brother must bow down in the tents of their 
enemies. 

Merab. Why should not Saul fight this battle, or 
Jonathan? Should not the king and son of the king 
be the saviors of the people? 

MiCHAL. Thou knowest that the captains of the 
host did hold the hands of Saul and Jonathan, forbid- 
ding that they should endanger their lives. It is not 
meet that the king or the son of the king should put 
their lives in jeopardy. 

Merab. Would that thy shepherd were here by thee 
that thou mightst send him into the jaws of this wolf. 

MiCHAL. Were my shepherd here, sister, I would 
indeed say unto him, 'If thou dost love me, bring me 
the head of this Philistine," and of a truth it should 
be done. Did he say me nay, he were no love of mine. 
Shame to thee, Merab, that thou hast brought dishonor 
upon him whom thou lovest. Peradventure his love 
may turn to hate and when he is himself once more, 
he shall curse the hand that stayed his arm. 

Merab. Nay, nay, sister! Thou wilt not betray 
me ! Say thou wilt not betray me ! 

MiCHAL. My tongue is sealed but my spirit is sore 
within me by reason of the faint heart that liveth in 
the daughter of Saul. 

(Enter Maid.) 

Maid. My mistress, a beggar without desireth 
speech of thee. 

Merab. Say unto her that I cannot see her. 

Maid. She will not be turned away. Money she 
will not have nor food, neither will she go without 



40 MICHAL 

word with thee and there is that in her eye which 
maketh me to fear. I dared not refuse to bring thee 
word. 

MiCHAL. Let us see this woman, sister. 

Merab. Nay, it is some evil fortune teller. I will 
not see her. 

Maid. She doth declare that what she would say 
to thee hath to do with the welfare of Israel. She 
will not be denied. 

Merab. I say I will not see her. 

MiCHAL. Nay, sister, refuse her not. Who can 
tell? Oft times the Lord of Hosts worketh by lowly 
instruments. 

Merab. Do thou talk with her, Michal ; as for me, 
I will none of her. 

(Merab gathers her veil about her and half 
conceals herself as the Maid ushers in a veiled 
woman who walks feebly and sinks wearily 
among the pillows of a divan. Maid retires 
at a sign from Michal.) 

Michal. Woman, what wilt thou? 

Beggar. {Rising with great effort, approaches 
Merab, points an accusing finger at her and speaks 
hoarsely.) It is with this woman I would speak, and 
alone. 

Merab. {Drawing her veil closer.) Leave me not, 
my sister. I will not speak with her. 

Michal. Fear not to speak with me, woman. I 
am her sister. What thou wouldst say to her I may 
safely hear and I will not leave her. 



MICHAL 41 

Beggar. (Sullenly.) As thou wilt; so shalt thou 
know my shame and hers and the ruin of Israel. 

(Gathering strength, the beggar throws aside 

her veil and reveals the drawn and haggard 

features of Abdiel. He stands over Merab, 

vainly trying in his weakness to threaten her. 

She shrinks, terrified.) 

Abdiel. Woman, thou hast bewitched me! What 

hast thou done? What hast thou done? The curse 

of God is upon me and my strength is departed from 

me while the dog of a Philistine walketh abroad 

through the land! 

(He breaks down, falls back on the divan and 
sobs. Merab springs toward hiim and tries 
to take him in her arms but even in his weak- 
ness he rallies and throws her off.) 
Abdiel. Nay, nay! Touch me not! I am ac- 
cursed. Thou hast bewitched me . . . Touch me not ! 
Merab. Abdiel! Abdiel! My beloved! Thou 
wouldst have perished by the hand of the enemy. 
Abdiel, turn not away from me! 

Abdiel. Thou hast brought everlasting shame upon 
me! The glory of my strength is departed from me 
and Israel is a prey in the hands of her enemies. I 
am become an abomination to the Lord. Touch me 
not! 

Merab. Abdiel! Soul of my soul! 
Abdiel. Speak not vain words. Thou shalt not 
touch me ! Give me back my strength. 

Michal. Merab, thou hast said that thou hadst it 



42 MICHAL 

in thy power to restore that which thou hast taken 
away. 

Merab. And shall my beloved fall a prey to Goliath, 
the PhiHstine? 

Abdiel. Delay not if thou truly hast it in thy power 
to heal me. Delay not if thy love be not altogether 
dead. Give me back my strength if thou wouldst not 
hear me curse the day when mine eyes first saw thee. 
If thou wilt save my body thou shalt slay my soul. 
O Merab, I pray thee by the love that I bore thee, by 
the God of our fathers, by thy hope of eternity, to 
give back that which thou didst take away, else will I 
curse thee before I die. 

Merab. Abdiel! Abdiel! My beloved! 

(Hesitatingly, she takes from her bosom a vial 
and gives it to him. He quaffs eagerly.) 

Merab. Thy prayer is answered, Abdiel. I have 
given thee into the arms of Death. Go now and sleep 
and on the morrow thy strength shall return and thou 
shalt perish by the hand of Goliath. 

Abdiel. (Rising, extends his arms to Merab, who 
puts hers around him and leads him gently towards the 
door,) I thank thee, heart's love. Now will I prove 
to thee how dear thou art to me and tomorrow I will 
bring thee the head of this Goliath. 

(Enter Jonathan, hastily. Abdiel draws his 
cloak over his face, hut, wishing to avoid 
notice, does not try to pass him and remains 
standing near Merab.) 

Jonathan. Good news! Good news, my sisters! 
The Lord hath provided a champion for Israel ! 



MICHAL 43 

MiCHAL. Who hath been chosen of the Lord to 
bring this great deUverance ? 

Jonathan. Even David, the son of Jesse, who doth 
sing before the king, our father. He is even now- 
arming himself in the tent of the king. May God 
Almighty give unto him the victory ! 

MiCHAL. Blessed be he among men forevermore! 

Jonathan. Saul, our father, hath promised him 
that if he bring back the head of Gohath, he shall 
have the eldest daughter of the king to wife. 

Merab. The Lord have mercy upon me ! 

Abdiel. (Almost falling, but unheld by Merab.) 
It is the judgment of God! 

Jonathan. My sister, be not dismayed; the youth 
is comely and of great valor. 

Merab. May the spirit of evil destroy him utterly ! 

Jonathan. Blaspheme not, Merab. It is fitting 
that the champion of Israel should wed the daughter 
of the king. 

Merab. My love have I pledged to Abdiel, the 
Meholothite, and shall I be false to mine oath? 

(Abdiel throws off his cloak and steps before 
Jonathan.) 

Abdiel. Yea, I have sworn before Jehovah that 
Merab shall be mine and none but the Lord God 
Almighty can separate us. 

Jonathan. The hand of the daughter belongeth to 
the father and to whom he will shall it be given. 
Wherefore wentest thou not forth to fight this battle, 
so hadst thou won the desire of thy heart? 

(Merab covers her face with her hands. 



44 MICHAL 

Abdiel hangs his head and is silent. He 

speaks at length in a low, choked voice, more 

to himself than to the listeners.) 
Abdiel. It is he judgment of the Lord! Woe! 
Woe! I am utterly bereft and God, the God of my 
fathers, has turned away his face from me ! 

{Overcome by weakness and grief, he sinks on 

the divan, and Merab kneels beside him. 

Jonathan regards him contemptuously, then 

addresses Merab.) 
Jonathan. How should the daughter of the king 
be given unto one who dared not to fight the enemy 
of the people? As the king hath commanded so shall 
it be done. Rebel not against his voice, my sister, but 
rejoice that thou shalt be given unto him who shall 
redeem Israel from her enemies. He shall be unto 
thee a crown of glory. (Turning to go.) Farewell, 
my sisters. Bear your souls in patience, so shall ye 
presently know the issue of the combat. 

(Jonathan goes out. Merab tries to fondle 

Abdiel, who shrinks from her. ) 
Merab. The king will give unto him his eldest 
daughter ! I have sinned in vain ! Abdiel ! O Abdiel, 
my heart's love, how have I brought thee low ! (Sud- 
denly changing mood.) Yet cannot this youth slay the 
Philistine. Is not his stature nine cubits and a span? 
Foolish that I am! Abdiel is mine and I am his and 
naught shall divide us! (Rising, she helps Abdiel to 
his feet and speaks to him eagerly.) This youth can- 
not slay the Philistine, Abdiel! Go thou to thy tent 
and sleep and rest and on the morrow shalt thou rise 



MICHAL 45 

to slay this giant and I shall be thine — Haste ! Haste ! 
Sleep, my beloved, and may the God of our fathers 
give thee strength to bring deliverance to his people! 
I will wed none but thee and thou shalt be the savior 
of Israel ! 

(Abdiel, weakly totters through the door. 
Merab looks after him, wringing her hands 
and turning from Michal who seeks to com- 
fort her. Michal returns to her loom, but 
does not work. Merab wanders from one 
small window to another restlessly, finally 
returning to the divan and burying her face 
among the pillows. The sisters sit in silence. 
Shouts are heard in the distance. Michal 
goes to the window. The tumult approaches. 
Music and singing are heard. Merab shrinks 
among her pillows. Michal talks half to 
herself, half to her sister, as the procession 
approaches and passes.) 
Michal. Lo, the musicians of the king with the 
psalter and timbrel and harp and the maidens dancing 
beside them! Lo, the hoists of Israel come with a 
great shout . . . They come! They come! Lo, the 
banners of Israel and the horsemen thereof ! Lo, the 
king's guard ... He cometh! He cometh! The 
champion of Israel ! 

(The tumult increases and just below the win- 
dow many voices shout ""Saul hath slain his 
thousands but David his tens of thousands !'' 
Michal. (Leaning far out of the window.) He 
cometh! He cometh! The people make way before 



46 MICHAL 

him ! The banners of the host float round him ! Now 
shall mine eyes behold this shepherd boy who singeth 
before the king, this sweet singer who knoweth not 
fear! 

{There is a pause of tense silence, then Michal 
turns from the window with a great cry.) 

Michal. It is the face of my beloved! 

Merab. (Springing to her feet,) What sayest 
thou? 

Michal. It is the face of my beloved! Mine eyes 
hath beheld him . . . fair as the moon, bright as the 
sun, terrible as an army with banners . . . He hath 
looked upon me, Merab, and the love of his heart doth 
burn in his eyes. O Merab, Merab! It is my shep- 
herd who is the savior of Israel ! (Merab stands rooted 
to the floor in amazement and horror.) Yea, I have 
found him whom my soul loveth and he is the 
champion of his people ! Praise God who hath brought 
deliverance to Israel and who restoreth to me the soul 
of my Hfe! 

Merab. {Not heeding Michal, hut speaking in a 
low, horror-stricken voice as if to herself.) And I 
shall wed this shepherd! 

Michal. {Standing a moment in silent astonish- 
ment, then understanding the meaning of the words.) 
Thou shalt wed this shepherd . . . God forbid! 

Merab. The king hath sworn. 

Michal. The king is also our father. He will not 
work this despite to his children. 

Merab. The king is but the king, Michal, and what 



MICHAL 47 

he hath sworn that will he execute. I must wed thy 
shepherd. 

MiCHAL. Nay, nay, my sister; it shall not come 
to pass. God will show us a way. In him let us 
put our trust. 

Merab. {Shaking her head mournfully,) I have 
sinned and the Lord will not have regard to my prayer. 
I am accursed and thou who art innocent shalt suffer 
also with me. 

MiCHAL. He loveth me. I know that he loveth 
me. His eyes did look into my soul and I am his 
and I swear thou shalt not wed him. 

Merab. Thou knowest I want him not and thou 
knowest also that among the children of Israel it is 
not done to give the younger before the first born, 
— and the king, our father, hath sworn. 

MiCHAL. O God of our fathers, have mercy upon 
thy handmaids ! 

{The sisters weep silently in each other's arms. 
Enter Abner.) 

Abner. What is this, my daughters? Behold, all 
the people of Israel rejoice and sing for joy because 
of the great deliverance which the Lord hath wrought; 
only in the house of the king there is mourning as 
among those who have lost their first born. 

MiCHAL. Oh, my uncle, my uncle! Give us thine 
aid, we beseech thee, for sorrow is multiplied unto us. 

Abner. What can I do for thee, my daughter? 

Merab. Our father hath sworn that he would give 
his elder daughter unto the champion of the people. 

Abner. Yea, truly; and is that a cause for weep- 



48 MICHAL 

ing? Thou art greatly favored, O Merab! Peace be 
unto thee and unto thy house forevermore. 

Merab. I will none of him, mine uncle. 

Abner. Thou wilt not wed this mighty man, 
Merab? O foolish one; knowest thou not how the 
Lord hath blessed thee! 

Merab. I have sworn to Abdiel, the Meholothite, 
that him only would I wed. And, see, mine uncle, 
Michal doth love this shepherd and shall Merab take 
unto herself the beloved of her sister. God forbid ! 

Abner. Michal doth love this shepherd! 

Michal. Yea, mine uncle. He it is who hath 
saved me from the jaws of the lion and him have I 
sought through all the land. 

Abner. Wonderful are the ways of women and 
past finding out! Weep not, my children. All shall 
yet be well with thee. Behold now, Merab doth love 
Abdiel and Michal hath set her heart upon David . . . 
yet what doth it signify? A man is but a man. Let 
Merab wed David, the son of Jesse, acording to the 
promise of the king, and let Michal wed Abdiel, the 
Meholothite, and all shall be well with thee . . . They 
are both comely men and valiant. 

Michal. Thou knowest naught of the heart of 
woman, mine uncle. Michal shall wed him whom her 
heart desireth and not another. 

Abner. Ah, little one, thou speak est the words of 
youth and folly. I also in the morning of life did set 
my heart upon a maiden and thought within myself 
that there was not her like among all the daughters 
of Israel. Yea, I did wed her in the glory of my 



MICHAL 49 

youth but the Lord who knoweth all things did rebuke 
the boasting of my heart and did take from me Re- 
becca, the daughter of Ahimaz. Then were my ways 
darkened and I thought within myself that death were 
better than life, when, lo ! mine eyes fell upon Susanna, 
the daughter of Nahath, and her took I to wife and 
behold, she maketh cakes even so good as those of 
Rebecca, the daughter of Ahimaz, and she hath borne 
me many children. 

Merab. {Indignantly.) Thou knowest not what 
thou sayest. Thou are a fool, mine uncle, and under- 
standest the heart of woman not at all. I will not wed 
this shepherd whom my sister loves. 

Abner. {Nettled,) Yea, but thou wilt, Merab, for 
the king hath sworn it. 

MiCHAL. {Kneeling and kissing his hands.) Save 
us, save us from this accursed thing, O Abner ! Thou 
art the brother of our father. He will listen to thy 
words. Take counsel with him, I beseech thee, and 
let him not break the hearts of his daughters as with 
a rod of iron. 

Abner. Would that I might do thy will in this, 
my little one, but the heart of the king is hardened 
and an evil spirit doth dwell within him. He doeth 
that which seemeth unto him good nor can any man 
turn him from that which he hath decreed. 

Merab. Plead with him, mine uncle, as a man 
pleadeth for his life. Say unto him that Michal shall 
wed this David and that Merab shall be given in 
mariage to Abdiel. 

Abner. The king will not hearken. I did meet him 



so MICHAL 

by the way and his face was darkened and he looked 
neither to the right hand not to the left and no man 
dared to speak with him. 

MiCHAL. Of a truth he will hearken unto his 
brother. 

Abner. What is brother or son to him when the 
spirit of evil speaks within him? He will slay me. 
He will slay thee, my children, if in aught thou do 
offend him. 

MiCHAL. The Lord have mercy upon my father! 

Merab. The Lord of Hosts have mercy upon his 
handmaids. Turn not from us, O mine uncle. Speak 
unto our father. Peradventure he will hear thee. 

(Abner tears himself away from their entreat- 
ies, putting his hands to his ears.) 

Abner. I will do that which in me lies, yet will 
not the king be moved. ( To himself as he rushes out, ) 
Let me fall into the hands of the Philistines rather 
than perish by the lamentations of women who know 
not the good from evil. Abdiel, the Meholothite, or 
David, the son of Jesse . . . what signifieth it? Are 
they not both comely men of their countenances and 
mighty in valor ! 

curtain 



MICHAL SI 



Scene Two : Same as preceding, 

{Enter Saul, in royal apparel, wearing crown 
and carrying spear, and evidently in had 
humor. He is followed by an armor bearer 
who helps him remove his outer garment. 
Saul assists the operation of freeing himself 
from encumbrances by violently throwing 
down his spear.) 
Saul. Go. I would be alone. Let no man enter. 
{Armor bearer retires precipitately. Saul paces the 
floor angrily.) King of Israel! What signifieth it to 
be called King of Israel when the battles of the Lord 
are fought by babes with stones ! King of Israel ! 
Hear how the people cry! {Pausing in his walk, he 
listens to the distant shouts: ''Saul has killed his thou- 
sands, but David his tens of thousands!'') King! 
Harken ! How the people render homage to this boy ! 
King ! {He seizes his crown and flings it against the 
wall.) King! The glory of victory belongeth to this 
youth! {Pause.) Yet am I king in truth and that 
shall this beardless boy know! 

{He picks up the crown and places it carefully 

on his head again. Enter armor bearer in 

evident trepidation, speaking with hesitancy.) 

Armor Bearer. Abner, thy brother, desires speech 

of thee, my lord, the king. 



52 MICHAL 

Saul. Said I not unto thee that I would see no 

man? (He raises his arm threateningly and the 

Armor Bearer retires in haste.) King! King! 

Yea, the people shall know there is a king in Israel! 

(Enter Armor Bearer still more fearfully 

Armor Bearer. David, the son of Jesse, is without, 
my lord the king. 

Saul. I will not see him. 

Armor Bearer. My lord, the king, did summon him. 

Saul. Hast thou no ears? Said I not unto thee 
I will not see him. Is the king of Israel to be at the 
beck of every shepherd who can throw a stone? He 
shall await my pleasure. (Armor Bearer retires.) 
David, the son of Jesse . . . David, the shepherd! 
And I have promised unto him my daughter in mar- 
riage! Truly the wrath of God abideth upon me as 
Samuel the prophet did foretell. Nevertheless shall 
this shepherd boy who hath slain Goliath with a chance 
stone wed the daughter of Saul? Nay, God forbid! 
Rather shall he die by my hands. 

(He picks up his spear and, aiming it at an 
imaginary foe, throws it with all his strength 
against the wall. With a cry of inarticulate 
rage, he picks up the spear, when the Armor 
Bearer enters,) 

Armor Bearer. Abdiel, the Meholothite, is with- 
out, desiring speech of my lord, the king. 

Saul. (Mad with rage.) Abdiel will I not see; 
David will I not see; Abner will I not see and thee 
will I see in hell if thou attend not to my word that I 
will see no man. (Armor Bearer retires.) Abdiel, 



MICHAL 53 

the Meholothite ! In good time he comes ! Where- 
fore went he not forth to fight the PhiUstine? Him 
would I gladly have given to my daughter. Coward 
is he and craven . . . yea, he shall have speech with 
me. (Calls loudly and the Armor Bearer appears,) 
Let Abdiel, the Meholothite, enter. 

{Enter Abdiel.) 

Abdiel. My lord, the king, did send for his servant. 

Saul. Knowest thou not, Abdiel, the son of 
Barzillai, that he who cometh late to the feast goeth 
empty away? Wherefore didst thou not fight against 
this Goliath? Knowest thou that to David, the son 
of Jesse, who hath slain this infidel, belongeth the 
hand of Merab, my elder daughter? 

Abdiel. Yea, my lord the king. 

Saul. Wherefore camest thou not forth to fight 
this dog? Thou hast asked of me the hand of my 
daughter in marriage and I did swear unto thee that 
if thou shouldst show thyself valiant and fight for me 
the Lord's battles thou shouldst have her to wife. 
Seemest it to thee a light thing to wed the daughter 
of the king? Cursed be thy faint heart for now shall 
she whom thou lovest be given to another. 

Abdiel. The will of the Lord of Hosts be done, 
my lord the king. The hand of Jehovah hath been 
heavy upon me and I have lain in my tent sick of a 
fever. The Almighty hath taken away from me the 
desire of my heart and the victory hath he given to 
another. 

Saul. Shall the daughter of the king be given unto 
him who careth for the flocks? 



54 MICHAL 

Abdiel. The king hath sworn and shall perform 
unto the Lord his oath. 

Saul. (Laying his hand upon his dagger, angrily.) 
What the king willeth shall come to pass. I will not 
give my daughter to this youth. 

Abdiel. The victory is his and the fruits of victory. 
Saul. Merab shall be thine, O Abdiel, for I love 
thee as my son. Jehovah hath not given unto thee this 
victory, yet shalt thou not also lose her whom thou 
lovest! Slay thou this stripling by night when he 
resteth with his flocks and Merab shall be thine. 

Abdiel. (Haughtily.) Nay, my lord the king. 
Abdiel, the Meholothite, dealeth not treacherously by 
any man. I will not lift my hand to do this evil thing 
though the price thereof be the joy of my soul. 

(Saul, transported with fury, springs towards 
Abdiel who avoids him and disappears. 
Saul in his frenzy stabs the wall again and 
again with his dagger. Voices are heard out- 
side, "The evil spirit is upon him! Fetch thy 
harp, son of Jesse!" The door opens 
softly and David, unperceived by Saul, who 
is at the other end of the room with his back 
turned, enters and begins softly playing upon 
his harp. Abner, Jonathan and Abdiel 
follow David and remain in the background.) 

SONG OF DAVID 

The king shall joy in thy strength, O Jehovah; 
And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 
Thou hast given him his heart's desire. 
And hast not witholden the request of his lips. 



MICHAL 55 

For thou meetest him with the blessings of goodness; 

Thou settest a crown of fine gold upon his head. 

He asked life of thee and thou gavest it him, 

Even length of days forever and ever. 

His glory is great in thy salvation; 

Honor and majesty doth thou lay upon him; 

For thou makest him most blessed forever; 

Thou makest him glad in the joy of thy presence. 

For the king trusteth in Jehovah 

And through the loving kindness of the Most High shall 

he not be moved 
His right hand will find out all his enemies; 
His right hand will find out those that hate him. 
He will make them as a fiery furnace in the time of his 

anger 
Those who intended evil against him. 
Those who conceived a device which they were not able 

to perform. 
He shall make them turn their back; 
He shall make ready his bowstrings against their face. 

(Saul stops in the midst of his frenzy at the 
first strains of the music, slowly relaxes and 
at length sinks upon a divan, becoming gra- 
dually calm and drinking in the music with 
avidity. When the song is finished he em- 
braces David passionately.) 
Saul. The blessing of the Lord abideth with thee, 
O David, the son of Jesse, and the blessing of the king 
shall be thine also. Said I not that he who should 
slay the Philistine should have the daughter of the 
king to wife? 

Abner. {Aside to Abdiel.) The mind of the king 
is like unto a whirlwind that changeth its course every 
instant. 

Saul. (To Abner.) Bring hither Merab and 
Michal, my daughters. (Abner goes out. To David.) 
Thou who art favored of the Lord shalt be the son-in- 



56 MICHAL 

law of the king, only be thou strong and very courage- 
ous and valiant to fight Jehovah's battles. Sing, I pray 
thee, my son. Sing the song of Deborah! 

(David sings again, ''Hear, O ye kings/' etc. 
While he is singing Abner returns with 
MiCHAL and Merab. Saul goes forward to 
meet them and leads Merab to David who, 
however, remains with his eyes fixed upon 

MiCHAL. ) 

Abner. {To Abdiel, who watches with tense face.) 
Be not troubled, O son of Barzillai. Michal also is 
fair to look upon and the daughter of the king. Doth 
one star differ from another star in glory? 

(Abdiel returns no answer, hut stands more 
rigidly. ) 
Saul. Behold, O son of Jesse, my daughter Merab. 
Her will I give unto thee according to my word. 

David. {Shrinking from Merab and turning to- 
ward Michal.) Nay, who am I that I should be the 
king's son-in-law? But, if the king will be gracious 
unto me, let him give me his daughter Michal. 

Saul. {Very angry.) Who art thou, who, when 
the king offers thee a pomegranate, saith, "Give me, 
I pray thee, a fig?" 

(Saul seizes a spear and throws it at David, 

who avoids it. Michal throws herself on 

her knees before her father, and speaks to 

Jonathan who has sprung to her side.) 

Michal. O my brother, let not my father lift his 

hand against this youth. He it is who hath saved me 

from the jaws of the lion. 



MICHAL 57 

Jonathan. What sayest thou, my sister? 

MiCHAL. Seest thou not, Jonathan? It is he! The 
sweet singer who did watch on the hill top when we 
slept in the wilderness! Thou sawest not his face 
but on my heart it is engraved! O my father, harm 
him not. It is he who did save me from the jaws of 
the lion ! 

Jonathan. There shall not a hair of his head 
perish ! Fear not, Michal ! I would lay down my 
life for him. {To Saul.) O my father, deal not 
hardly with the young man. Lo, it is he who hath 
saved my sister from the lion when we did seek thee 
in the hill country. (Strips himself of his robe and 
gives it to David and his garments even to his sword 
and the how at his girdle, then falls on his neck and 
kisses him.) The Lord watch between thee and me 
and between my seed and thy seed forever. Whatso- 
ever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. 

Saul. (Amazed.) David, the son of Jesse! The 
savior of Israel! The conqueror of Goliath! The 
slayer of the lion! Truly the hand of the Lord is 
with him and he shall be blessed. The shepherd of 
Israel hath sent thee to me, O son of Jesse. What 
wilt thou of the king, the father of Michal? 

David. If it seem good unto thee, I pray thee, O 
lord, the king, to give unto me the lamb whom I have 
saved. 

Saul. Michal, wilt thou go with this man? 

Michal. Yea, father; I will go with him, for it is 
he whom my heart desireth and he is the shepherd of 
my soul. 



S8 MICHAL 

Saul. (Doubtfully.) Nevertheless, it is not fitting 
that the younger should be given in marriage before 
the elder. 

Abdiel. If it seemeth good unto the king, give me, 
I pray thee, thy daughter Merab, that so the law may 
be fulfilled and our lips may praise thee forevermore. 

Saul. It shall be even as thou v^ilt, Abdiel, the son 
of Barzillai. May the God of Israel be with you and 
abide with you, my children. 

David. (Snatching up his harp, sings.) 

Praise the Lord, O my soul; 
All that is within me, 
Praise his holy name, etc. 



CURTAIN 



APPENDIX 



APPENDIX 
STORY OF THE PLAY 

Saul, the son of Kish, has gone to find the asses of 
his father. While Jonathan and Michal, his children, 
are practicing at archery, Abner comes seeking Saul 
and bringing the tidings that the Children of Israel, 
afflicted by the Philistines and discontented with the 
ineffectual rule of the sons of Samuel, will have a king 
to reign over them and that Saul is the choice of the 
people. 

Jonathan and Michal, overjoyed by the surprising 
news, but anxious because of their father's long ab- 
sence, go to seek him in the danger-infested hill-country. 

Wearied after fruitless search, they sleep among the 
rocks of the wilderness. David, who cares for the 
flocks of his father, finds them sleeping and is smitten 
with the surpassing beauty of Michal. Knowing the 
perils that lurk among the rocks, he watches. Dark- 
ness becomes complete. There is a rush of feet, a 
scream, a cry of "Lion ! Lion !" followed by sounds of 
pursuit and struggle. Then silence. Dawn reveals 
Jonathan and David bending over Michal's unconscious 
form. Jonathan despairs, but David is bending over 
Michal as she opens her eyes. At the same moment 
Saul appears and David vanishes without becoming 
known. 

Goliath, the Philistine, challenges Israel. Merab, 
Saul's elder daughter, prevents her lover, Abdiel, from 

6i 



62 MICHAL 

accepting the challenge and an unknown volunteer 
overcomes the giant. Michal, looking from her widow, 
recognizes the shepherd-harper in the successful cham- 
pion and is overcome with dismay because Saul has 
promised his elder daughter as the reward of vic- 
tory. Merab is also distressed because she loves Abdiel. 

Saul, very angry that this shepherd-boy shall marry 
his daughter, is nevertheless bound by his promise. 
David, however, has also recognized Michal through 
the window and, in defiance of the king's offer and of 
the custom of the country, asks that Michal be given 
him instead of Merab. Saul, about to slay him in anger, 
is stayed by the announcement that David is the pre- 
server of Michal from the lion. 

The law is satisfied by AbdieFs proposal to marry 
Merab and Saul's promise is made good by the be- 
trothal of David and Michal. 

SYNOPSIS FOR PROGRAMS 

Act I. Scene One: Before the home of Kish in a 
village of Palestine. Jonathan, in preparation for 
joining the hosts of Israel, practices at archery, 
his sister, Michal, acting as armor bearer. Enter 
Abner asking for Saul, who is absent seeking his 
father's asses. Abner tells the children of the 
wish of the Israelites to have Saul as their king. 
Enter Kish, lamenting the protracted absence of 
Saul. Jonathan and Michal, infected by his 
anxiety, go in search of their father. 
Scene Two : Wilderness of Judaea. Michal and 
Jonathan, having lost their way and being too 



APPENDIX 63 

wearied to travel farther, sleep among the rocks. 
David, having folded his sheep in the valley, comes 
to the hill- top to enjoy the beauty of the night and 
discovers the sleeping wanderers. The moonlight 
reveals the loveliness of Michal, and David, know- 
ing the dangers of the wilderness, watches near 
her. Under the cover of the darkness that follows 
the setting of the moon, a wild beast attacks 
Michal. David and Jonathan pursue the ma- 
rauder. Dawn discovers them bending over the 
apparently lifeless body of Michal. Jonathan 
gives himself up to lamentation. David bends 
again over Michal as she opens her eyes. Saul 
appears over the hill^top at the same moment and 
David vanishes without making himself known. 

Act II. Two years later. 

Scene One: House of King Saul. Michal be- 
moans to Merab her inability to find the shepherd 
who had rescued her from death. They speak 
also of the Philistine, Goliath, and Merab con- 
fesses that she has given a potion to her lover, 
Abdiel, incapacitating him from challenging the 
giant. Michal indignantly avers that, could she 
find her shepherd, she would gladly send him 
against the enemy of Israel. Enter Abdiel, vehe- 
mently upbraiding Merab for her treachery to 
him. He is shortly followed by Jonathan who 
declares that a champion for Israel has been found 
and that Saul has promised him Merab as the 
reward of victory. Merab and Michal await in 



64 MICHAL 

anxiety the shouts that shall announce the coming 
of the victor and, when he is escorted through 
the street, Michal from her window recognizes 
his as her lost shepherd, who must become the 
husband of Merab! 

Scene Two: The same. Saul, very angry that 
he must marry his elder daughter to a shepherd 
boy, summons Abdiel and reproaches him for not 
having challenged Goliath and suggests that he 
slay David. Abdiel proudly scorns such treachery 
and Saul attempts to kill him, but Abdiel escapes. 
David is sent to soothe Saul with the music of 
his harp. Saul, melted, relents and summons his 
daughters, offering Merab to David, but David, 
who has recognized Michal through the window, 
dares the anger of the king and asks for Michal. 
The intervention of Jonathan, who announces that 
David is the savior of Michal from the lion, brings 
about a satisfactory issue for all concerned. 

COSTUMES AND CHARACTERS 

Michal. A girl of sixteen, full of life and fun; a 
child of the great out-of-doors, natural and beau- 
tiful. Her dress, the simple tunic of the Jewish 
people, which she retains even as a princess, 
though in the second act a golden girdle may be 
worn to indicate her rank. The sandals, too, may 
be ornamented with gold in the later scenes. 

Merab. Aged twenty, unlike her sister delighting in 
gorgeous raiment. In the first scene she wears 
an embroidered tunic which when she becomes a 



APPENDIX 65 

princess, is changed for one of many colors and 
richly ornamented. She wears also ear-rings, 
armlets, necklaces and anklets, and golden sandals. 

Jonathan. A boy of eighteen, a hero-worshipper, 
impulsive, affectionate, high-minded and courage- 
ous. He wears a tunic reaching below the knees 
and over this a mantle. In the last two scenes he 
wears the richly colored robe of a prince. 

Saul. A man in the prime of life, stern, ambitious, 
passionate. In the first scene he wears the drab- 
colored tunic of the common Jew, in the last the 
royal robe of a king. This may be made of purple 
sateen, with wide borders of cotton. His crown 
is a plain band of gilt cardboard; his spear is 
jewelled and wound with gilt paper. 

Abdiel. The lover of Merab, a warrior of renown. 
As a beggar, he is clad from head to foot in a 
black mantle, only his eyes visible. As a soldier, 
in the last scene, he wears a brightly colored 
mantle over his armor. (Armor is easily made 
of silver paper pasted on large sheets of card- 
board, either in the shape of scales or in a solid 
sheet, and fitted closely to the body. A helmet 
may be made of the same material modelled over 
a close-fitting skull cap). 

Abner. Captain of the king's guard, an elderly 
soldier, portly, pompous, but simple and kind- 
hearted as a child. He wears armor and carries 
a sword or spear. 

David. A youth of eighteen, ruddy and of a fair 
countenance, clothed in the tunic of the 



66 MICHAL 

shepherd. In the first act he carries a harp, in 
the last, wears a sUng over his shoulder and carries 
a shepherd's staff. 

KiSH. A white-bearded man, bowed down with years 
and grief. White-robed. 

Maid, Soldiers, Armor Bearer, wear the 
Jewish tunic and sandals. Soldiers and armor 
bearer may wear turbans or helmets. 

THE SCENERY 

The Jewish house of the time of Saul was a flat- 
topped, one-story building, made of stones and mud 
and with few windows. It may be easily represented 
by tacking sheets of gray paper, (drying paper, such 
as botanists use for pressing plants) on frames. 

The furnishing of the house are a rude table, stools, 
a divan, water jugs, and so forth. Even the house 
of the king was, during the reign of Saul, a very 
primitive place. 

Managers of the real theater are exceedingly kind 
about lending scenery to responsible amateurs. If, 
however, no such scenery is available, the wilderness 
may be simulated by wrapping various articles of mis- 
cellaneous sizes and shapes, such as footstools, pillows 
or bundles of rags, in brown and gray cloth and scat- 
tering them among the larger articles of furniture, 
such as couches and tables, similarly covered with 
brown muslin or cheesecloth. If artfully done, the 
resemblance to a rocky desert is really impressive. 



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